In the Smoky Mountains are unlimited activities and attractions to participate in your entire trip. No matter how long you’re staying, you’ll find a large range of attractions to accommodate the interests you and your family and friends have.
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Auto touring
Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses over 800 square miles and is one of the most pristine natural areas in the East. An auto tour of the park offers a variety of activities, including panoramic views, tumbling mountain streams, weathered historic buildings, and mature hardwood forests stretching to the horizon.
There are 384 miles of road to choose from in the Smokies. Most are paved, and even the gravel roads are maintained in suitable condition for standard passenger cars. Travel speeds on most of the park’s paved roads average 35 miles per hour.
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Bicycling
Cyclists will find several options for riding in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most popular of the Gatlinburg bike trails is Cades Cove, an 11-mile loop filled with historic homesites, wildlife and wonderful scenic views. The loop road closes to motor vehicles early on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, so it’ll be just you and the hikers and walkers on one of the most enjoyable Tennessee bike trails.
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Fishing
Gatlinburg and the streams of the Great Smoky Mountains are an angler’s paradise. Fly fishing vacations in the Smokies mean easy access to some of the finest Tennessee trout fishing. Fishing is permitted in most of the National Park’s waters, except for those which are posted otherwise in order to protect certain species of fish. There are also two, designated children’s fishing areas which are heavily stocked with trout. These areas are located at North Gatlinburg Park, at the northern Parkway entrance to the city, and Mynatt Park, off Airport Road.
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Hiking and Backpacking
Backpacking is a unique hiking experience you can have in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Not only does this outdoor experience introduce you to a whole new side of the national park, it also encourages you to push beyond your current boundaries and comfort levels.
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Picnicking
Food and the outdoors — two things that are very dear to our hearts here in Gatlinburg — bring people together. Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg offer many places where you can combine both on a picnic.
Gatlinburg is home to many scenic and accessible spots perfect for bringing back the lost joy of picnicking. Admire the antique architecture of century-old cabins and mills at Cades Cove picnic area, soak up the scenery of the Little Pigeon River at the Chimneys picnic area or share a meal at one of several other designated picnic spots near Gatlinburg.
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Waterfalls walk
Every year over 200,000 visitors hike well-worn trails to view Grotto, Laurel, Abrams, Rainbow, and other popular waterfalls in the park. Large waterfalls attract the crowds, but smaller cascades and falls can be found on nearly every river and stream in the park.
The Great Smoky Mountains abound with the two ingredients essential for waterfalls-ample rainfall and an elevation gradient. In the Smokies high country, over 85″ of rain falls on average each year.
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Wildlife watching
Wildlife is one of the many reasons people vacation in the Smoky Mountains each year. With a diverse wildlife population, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect place for animal lovers.
